MRI Groin Pain

MRI examination of the left hip demonstrates high signal undermining the origin of the adductor longus (groin) muscle, a common finding seen in athletes presenting with groin pain. This is an injury often associated with osteitis pubis (OP).

Images through the groin demonstrates an area of increased signal in keeping with the diagnosis of a partial thickness tear at the origin of the adductor muscle (adductor longus) as it arises of the pubic bone. This is a specific finding on MRI that well correlates with the clinical findings of pain on the same side [1].

Similar hyperintensity may also been seen in the adjacent muscle as well as bone in keeping with increased fluid (oedema). The presence of oedema in the marrow of the pubic bone is the hallmark finding of the diagnosis of osteitis pubis, commonly referred to as “OP” [2].

Interestingly, patients with groin pain will often have changes of early arthritis of the hip, which is seen as loss of cartilage and small cysts in the bone marrow. It is thought that the decreased range of motion in the hip, specifically internal and external rotation [3], results in additional stress on the pubic bone and therefore predispose such patients to developing osteitis pubis.

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